rocky mountains

5 Reasons to go to a Keystone Festival this Summer. HeidiTown Wine & Jazz crowd shot

We have been attending a Keystone Festival every summer since 2014, so I know a thing or two about these events. The 1st reason to attend one of the events is that they are FREE. That’s right, anyone can walk through the village during the four ticketed festivals to enjoy live music and the festive ambiance. A key to Keystone Festivals is that it’s “choose your adventure” when it comes

Come for the Party, Stay for the Party: Breckenridge, Colorado

We took a break from visiting Breckenridge because we’d frequented this Colorado mountain town so much that some HeidiTown citizens thought we lived there. So, I didn’t put it on the travel list for a few years (then the pandemic showed up, and before long, it’s been five years). I hadn’t been a judge at Ullr Fest parade for nearly a decade, but they asked me this year. I was

Where to Stay in Leadville, Colorado Tashi’s Cabin at Buckeye’s Cabins. HeidiTown (6)

I get a lot of “where to stay” type questions. If you’d like a dog-friendly, rustic Leadville experiences, Tashi’s Cabin is the place for you. And when I say rustic I do not mean you’ll go without. This is a cabin, with a bathroom, two bedrooms, kitchen and living area. There is even a wood-burning stove. That warms my heart and toes! We’ve been to Leadville a handful of times

Spend St. Patrick’s Day in One of These Colorado Towns 1. HeidiTown

Updated 3-12-24 I want to start this post by telling you who it is not for. It is not for those with wee children looking for face painting and parade information. It’s also not for those who think green beer, whiskey shots, and a DJ make an excellent St. Patrick’s Day. To me, a good St. Patrick’s Day means old friends and new friends, a bar where talking to new

While Not at the Lake in Grand Lake, Colorado Golf. HeidiTown (3)

Everyone visits Grand Lake for the lake. However, there are other ways to spend time in this charming little mountain town. For instance, you may want to hit some balls around at the Grand Lake Golf Course. I have heard this many, many times: “I didn’t know that you golfed!” Sort of. Can ex-golfers say they golf? If so, I do. Throughout high school, I worked at Avalon Golf Club,

The Snowy Range in Living Color Wildflowers in Wyoming. HeidiTown (16)

My mission this past weekend was to find wildflowers in the Snowy Range. Let’s just say that I succeeded and it was beyond my wildest dreams. And it’s not too late. These flowers didn’t look like they were going away anytime soon, but they will go away, so time is of the essence. Photos taken on a Canon T3i and Samsung 9+. The Snowy Range is just 30 minutes west

Day Trip from Snow Mountain Ranch in Grand County, Colorado. HeidiTown (5)

We’ve been to Snow Mountain Ranch a handful of times and during various seasons. We’ve eaten in the cafeteria and done quite a few of the activities offered. This time, we decided to use our cabin as a place to stay while we explored Grand County. Grand County is downright beautiful. It is home to what I like to think of as “old Colorado.” Time is a bit slower and

Have A Puppy Get To The Riverwalk in Estes Park, Colorado. HeidiTown (3)

We spent a lovely weekend at YMCA of the Rockies recently. We were in a cozy cabin with a fireplace and our puppy. I was excited to be a place that was dog-friendly. After all, YMCA of the Rockies welcomes dogs of all sizes to their property.  In fact, they have a brand new dog park, Murphy’s Mountain Dog Park, and it was within an easy walk of our cabin,

Crested Butte, Colorado, photo by Trent Bona.

A Note from the Mayor: This article first appeared in the Berthoud Weekly Surveyor where I work as a reporter-at-large. The original title was “Explore Colorado.” Colorado is a beautiful state. Even the towns that dot the Eastern Plains have their own sort of nostalgic charm. However, there are a few towns that really sparkle when blanketed with a fresh layer of snow. Here are the towns that I consider to

christmasmarket_horses-courtesy-visit-clear-creek-county

We have 44 days of fall left, but the beautiful fall drives are over, so how do we continue to celebrate this shoulder season? I’ve got a few suggestions. A Late Fall Getaway in Colorado November isn’t a big getaway month for most people, but the “shoulder season” is a wonderful time to travel in Colorado. There are less cars on the roads, and unless you’re traveling on Thanksgiving, you’ll